A Look Ahead to 2009

"The stars are aligned for energy efficiency." President Kateri Callahan could not have said it better in her interview with Time magazine. Indeed, it is an exciting time for energy efficiency advocates everywhere, and we at the Alliance are anticipating a busy and fulfilling year. Here is are just a few of the projects on our radar. Please contact us if any of these pique your interest; we are always eager to collaborate with our esteemed Associates.

Policy

The Alliance Policy Team is looking at the possibility of an energy efficiency “triumvirate” in 2009. This entails a series of three bills – a stimulus bill, an energy bill, and a climate change bill – that hold huge potential for advancing energy efficiency Throughout the year the Alliance Policy Team will be working with Associates, clean energy coalitions and our allies on the Hill to ensure that these three legislative vehicles take full advantage of the benefits of energy efficiency.

First off, the Policy Team will continue to work to achieve appropriate levels of funding for energy efficiency programs within the economic recovery (or stimulus) bill that is currently being considered. We will then turn to the energy bill that the Senate may take up in April or May of this year; here we expect to see many opportunities for energy efficiency, ranging from an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS) to programs to reduce the burden of energy bills on low–income households.

Our next priority is climate legislation, which President Obama has called for early in the 111th Congress and which we may see on the floor sometime in 2009. By working with other clean energy advocacy groups, the Alliance has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for “complementary programs” and other aspects of climate legislation that will collectively utilize energy efficiency to minimize the cost of reducing carbon emissions. Alliance Associates looking to join these initiatives should contact Policy Manager Clayton Crownover at ccrownover@ase.org.

Events

The 2009 event on everyone' s list is the Energy Efficiency Forum and Exposition (EE Global). Held at the Palais des Congres in Paris, France, from April 27–29, this year's EE Global gathers energy efficiency professionals from all sectors and all regions of the world to map out a strategy for a clean energy future. We are pleased that so many Associates are participating in this year's event – as sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and delegates – and we will continue to give special consideration and registration discounts to other Associates who would like to join the effort. To learn more about the high–caliber roster of speakers and presenters headlining this event, you can download their podcast interviews from the EE Global website. To participate in EE Global, please contact Special Events Associate April Ferrari at aferrari@ase.org.

Communications

Not only is energy efficiency more and more the subject of ‘breaking’ energy news; it is also a high priority for the incoming Administration. Supported by new policy funding for our media department, the Alliance is carrying the message of energy efficiency further into the halls of Congress, directly to the policymakers shaping our energy future. As always, we are pleased to work with Associates seeking to participate in energy efficiency initiatives on the Hill: with our strong media arm we can facilitate a dialogue amongst political and industry leaders.

In 2009, the Alliance will continue to promote energy efficiency through effective consumer campaigns reinforced by cross–sector partnerships and fusing consumer awareness with corporate and political sensibilities. Specifically, work is underway on a campaign with Levi Strauss and Proctor & Gamble that teaches consumers about the energy efficiency benefits of using Tide Coldwater when washing their favorite pair of Levis. In addition, we are looking at a number of opportunities to extend the success of the Drive Smarter Challenge into 2009, and welcome any input or support from our Associates who have an interest in joining us. Please contact Director of Communications Susan Shuckra at sshuckra@ase.org for more information.

Buildings, Industry and Utilities

Fresh off a historic boost in the energy efficiency of the 2009 model energy code (the IECC), the Energy Efficient Codes Coalition (EECC) has set its sights on the International Code Council’s next code development cycle that will culminate in a May 2010 IECC Supplement. Having fallen just 11 votes shy of the two–thirds majority needed to adopt “The 30% Solution,” EECC’s government, business, environmental groups, utilities, labor, regional energy efficiency alliances and other supporters have devised a comprehensive national action plan for 2009, based on a combination of outreach, education and recruitment. By making a convincing case for dynamic efficiency gains in model code development, EECC aims to integrate these its strategies with code adoption and enforcement efforts undertaken at federal, state and local levels. To get involved with EECC please contact Code Coalition Director Bill Fay bfay@ase.org.

Model energy codes that lay continually improving “floors” for more energy–efficient homes and commercial buildings pave the way for the Building Codes Assistance Project (BCAP) to win their adoption and enforcement at the state and local levels. In addition to its new 50 State Strategy, BCAP will be launching a complete redesign of its website to serve as a one–stop–shop for information on building code activity and resourcess. To learn more about BCAP's initiatives, please contact BCAP Director Aleisha Khan at akhan@ase.org

The Alliance is also working with DOE to improve energy efficiency in buildings: this year, it will be serving on the Steering Committee of a new High Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership (HPCGBP), formed in response to DOE's call for a consortium that would help it achieve zero net energy performance in commercial buildings. Please refer to the full article on HPCGBP for more information.

International Programs: REEEP

As the North American Secretariat for the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), the Alliance looks forward to helping REEEP build on the significant progress it made in 2008, most notably to develop a stronger global market for sustainable energy. Support for the REEEP program in North America is being provided by the U.S. Deparment of State. Serving as the REEEP Secretariat in North America the Alliance, along with other partners, will undertake an expanded role in helping to accelerate the global market for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Alliance Associates who are interested in partnering with REEEP to drive a global awareness of the necessity for urgent action on energy and climate increases should contact the Alliance's Senior Program Manager for REEEP North America, Maria Ellingson at (419) 724–4571 or mellingson@ase.org.